Charles Oliveira has achieved a lot in his mixed martial arts career, but he is still as hungry as ever.
We already know that “Do Bronx” has a lightweight world title wrapped around the waist. This Saturday night, he hopes to experience Deja vu, who squared with former featherweight Ilia Topria at UFC 317 in Las Vegas and appeared as the new 155-pound champion.
With 35 career victories and his legacy as the most prolific finisher in UFC history already secured, some have questioned whether Oliveira has anything left to prove within the Octagon.
No, no, but that doesn’t mean that the Brazilians are not determined to regain their lightweight throne. Even when it means passing one of the most dangerous fighters in all of the MMA.
“I’m not fighting to prove anything to anyone anymore,” Oliveira said Wednesday at UFC 317 Media Day. “I fight for myself, for my own self-worth. Nothing has changed. I’m still hungry. I’m still thirsty. I still want to make history. This is a big battle for my legacy. I’m ready for it.”
“I’m marked with a lot of elasticity and I’m discrediting. Now I’m young, undefeated, hungry guy. But is he hungry more than me? Does he want it more than me?”
Something has to give when Charles Oliveira clashes with Ilia Topria
Over his 15-year career, Oliveira has broken some of the game’s biggest names. Justin Gesche, Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler, Tony Ferguson, Kevin Lee, just a few examples. Along the way, he accumulates 20 career finishes (most of the fighters in UFC history) with 16 submissions and four KOs.
Of course, Topuria is no stranger to highlight the reel. On his last two outings, “Elmatador” cleaned up Alexander Volkanovsky and Max Holloway, perhaps the two best featherweights in the history of the department. He also suffocated Bryce Mitchell, Ryan Hall of Ground and Pond, sending them packed less than half rounds into their fight night clash five years ago.
Obviously, when Topuria and Oliveira clash at the biggest stage of MMA during International Combat Week, something has to be given.